VALPARAISO | Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa brought an early end to this week's trial involving a truck driver accused of running a red light on Ind. 49 and killing a 91-year-old Liberty Township man.

Alexa took the unusual step Wednesday of dismissing charges of reckless homicide and criminal reckless against Ohio resident Sampson Boadi, saying prosecutors failed to prove their case.

Before sending the jury home early, he said the criminal element of recklessness must involve more than just running through a red light.

Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Bennett stood by his case after the ruling and said he believed Boadi was reckless in that he drove through the intersection at County Road 400 North at least five seconds after the light turned red.

"It's how you run the red light," Bennett said.

The announcement, which came at the request of defense attorney Gary Germann and after Bennett presented the last of his evidence, was a pleasant surprise to Boadi.

"I'm so glad," the 42-year-old native of Ghana, Africa said as he left the courtroom with supporters as a free man. "God has solved my problem for me."

Boadi said he no longer drives trucks for a living and has faith God will lead him to his next job.